booked their place within the Carabao Cup ultimate earlier this month, but it surely's this week's conflict in opposition to Barcelona that would decide whether or not Erik ten Hag's debut season in cost at Previous Trafford will likely be deemed an enormous success or not. After a number of years of frustrations, disappointments and an absence of identification, United lastly look like on course underneath Ten Hag.
Cristiano Ronaldo's departure has solely appeared to strengthen the unity at Previous Trafford with Ten Hag beginning to get the perfect out of his squad. Summer season arrival Lisandro Martinez has been heralded as one of many signings of the season whereas Marcus Rashford has been essentially the most deadly ahead within the Premier League in 2023.
Their 2-0 win over Leeds on the weekend noticed them make up some floor on league leaders Arsenal, who dropped factors in opposition to Brentford. The minimal objective for Ten Hag from the beginning of the season was to safe Champions League soccer for subsequent yr.
That concentrate on nonetheless must be met with loads of groups nonetheless sniffing across the top-four spots heading into the enterprise finish of the season. However all present indicators level to a profitable first season in cost for Ten Hag - however there's a chance to make it the membership's greatest marketing campaign since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
It has been 5 trophy-barren seasons for United - their longest trophy drought in 40 years. Their final piece of silverware got here underneath Jose Mourinho, who gained the Europa League and Carabao Cup again in 2017.
United might finish that drought later this month in opposition to Newcastle within the Carabao Cup ultimate. Nevertheless it's this week's Europa League knockout tie at house to Barcelona that may very well be Ten Hag's largest check.
Xavi's facet have been flying excessive on the prime of La Liga and are on an 11-game successful streak. Knocking out one of many match favourites would instantly see United put in as critical contenders to go all the best way and win the European competitors for the second time.
In addition they stand an opportunity of going far within the FA Cup with a fifth-round tie in opposition to West Ham in the beginning of subsequent month. Mourinho managed to get to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup within the yr he led United to glory within the Europa League and Carabao Cup.
And a Premier League title battle cannot be dominated out both with Arsenal going by a mini-blip whereas Manchester Metropolis have dropped factors in current weeks. However any hopes of a historic season might relaxation on the Europa League tie in opposition to Barcelona and Ten Hag will know what's at stake.